Volunteering Opportunities for Parents
Parent Volunteers are key to many of our programs and events! Jump in to one of the below opportunities to get involved, have fun & have an excuse to visit your student on campus!
You don't have to be a U. of I. expert to volunteer; your story makes a difference, and it might just be the story that another family needs to hear to help make their transition to parents of a college student less stressful and more fulfilling.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, email uofiparents@illinois.edu to sign up!
Move-In Week
- Time requested: Wednesday and Thursday of move-in week, afternoon
- Help greet new U. of I. parents at our Move-In Receptions.
Summer Registration- Click here to volunteer for Summer Registration 2012!
- Time requested: Weekdays, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; end of May through mid-July
- Hand out information to new parents
- Collect parent contact information
- Dads Weekend & Tuition Drawing registrations
- Answer questions & share your experiences
Dads Weekend- November 9-11, 2012
- Banquet
- Time requested: Friday evening
- Greet U. of I. families
- Host a table--make the evening memorable!
- Check guests in
- Pre-Game BBQ
- Time requested: Saturday, 2 hours prior to kick-off
- Collect lunch tickets
- Meet & greet U. of I. families
- Talk to families about the Dads Association
- Answer questions & share experience
Moms Weekend- April 20 - 22, 2012
- Explore Illinois
- Time requested: Friday evening
- Greet guests
- Help with check-in
- Craft Fair-- email Elaine Wrinkle to sign up to volunteer for 2012!
- Time Requested: Saturday, 1 hour
- Sell Moms Association merchandise
- Contribute crafts to be sold
- Information Table-- email the Parent Programs office to sign up to volunteer for 2012!
- Time requested: Friday or Saturday, 1 hour
- Hand out Moms Weekend calendars, parking maps, etc.
- Answer questions & give direction
President's Award Program
- Time requested: 8:30 AM- 10:30 AM
- Talk with prospective U. of I. families
- Share your experiences
- Talk about the benefits of students attending U of I
Latina/o Family Visit Day
- Time requested: Weekend morning, 8 - 10 am
- Program conducted bilingually--volunteers should be fluent in Spanish
- Talk with U. of I. families, some of whom are experiencing their first child going to college
- Share your experiences and advice
- Collect parent contact information for mailings & information
Admitted Student Days-- Click here to volunteer for Admitted Student Days 2012!
- Time requested: 8 - 11 am, Mondays and Fridays in February- April
- Meet and talk with parents of admitted students
- Talk to families about volunteering, work of the Associations, etc.
- Collect parent contact information
- Answer questions & share experiences
Volunteering At Home:
- Host a get-together (brunch, game-day gathering, etc.) and share your experiences.
- Write an article for our newsletter about your local network and how you stay connected.
- Answer questions posted on the Discussion Board.
- Encourage other U. of I. families from your area to volunteer for an event.
- Arrange carpools for students from your area to get home and back to school.
- Work with area families to arrange send-off parties or care packages to send to your students.
- Consider serving as a County Rep! We provide great resources and information for those interested in coordinating activities in their area. Visit our County Rep page to learn more or contact the Parent Programs Office at (217) 333-7063 or uofiparents@illinois.edu.
- Give your contact information to the local High School as a person for future U. of I. parents to call.
- Contact U. of I. parents in your area by phone, mailing postcards, sending emails, etc. We will help you with contact information.
- Make an announcement in your local paper informing other U. of I. parents that you are available for them to contact with any concerns or questions.
